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Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu announced preliminary budget-tightening measures Tuesday in the face of expected lost tax revenue from the economic downturn caused by business closings and other measures aimed at fighting the new coronavirus pandemic.

First cost-saving steps include a selective hiring freeze, postponement of some existing contracts, a 10% reduction of supply purchases, a 5% cut in discretionary spending, and savings on personnel expenses through schedule adjustments, Sidhu told the Whatcom County Council in a briefing Tuesday.